Tennis Star Survived Palisades Fire But Lost His Home — Now an Alleged Drunk Driver Is Accused of Murdering Him

A suspected drunk driver was charged with second-degree murder on Tuesday, Dec. 23, in connection with the death of an 18-year-old California high school tennis star.

Jenia Resha Belt, 33, is also charged with one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one misdemeanor count of driving while her privilege was suspended or revoked due to a specified blood alcohol level, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The Loyola High School senior was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by Belt on Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, May 4, according to a Manhattan Beach Police Department press release.

When officers arrived at approximately 1 a.m., they found the teen in the street next to a vehicle. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries, authorities said.

According to court records obtained by the Los Angeles Times, prosecutors allege Belt’s blood alcohol level was close to twice the legal limit and that her driver’s license was suspended at the time of the crash due to an earlier DUI arrest.

Just months before his death, the teen’s family lost their home in the Palisades Fire and relocated to the South Bay area.

Jamal Adams, the principal and president-elect of Loyola High School of Los Angeles, previously said Levi stepped up after the wildfires to support other students, helping to create a peer-to-peer counseling space for classmates who had been displaced. He also worked with his best friend and school leaders to organize an overnight retreat for those affected.

Adams said Levi consistently put others first. “He was a shining example of caring for other people — even in the midst of going through his own personal situation,” he said.

Levi had planned to attend the University of Virginia in September, per the Times.

After his death, his parents started the Live Like Braun Foundation, which focuses on scholarships, repairing and building public tennis centers, and raising awareness about impaired driving.

“Braun Levi was an extraordinary soul whose radiant energy touched everyone who knew him,” the foundation’s website states.

In November, the family filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit, according to the Times.

Belt’s arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 13. She is currently in custody on $2 million bail.